Research and Development Latest Topicshttp://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/forum/123-research-and-development/Research and Development Latest TopicsenHelp for Darth Talon!http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2792-help-for-darth-talon/
Hello!

I am nearing the end of my Darth Talon build so that I can submit my application, hurray!

After receiving my long latex lekku from Twilek Pam, my husband helped me paint them Red #2 from Reel Creations via airbrush. Before I start trying to add her lekku's tattoos I wanted to see what type of paint was used. Initially I had thought that I would use the black alcohol liquid paint from Reel Creations, but now I'm not sure if that would just cause the red to run?

Thank you!

]]>2792Mon, 07 May 2018 01:47:13 +0000KOTOR Sith Officerhttp://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2761-kotor-sith-officer/
Has anyone attempted a KOTOR Style Sith Officer? The wife was considering one to pair of with my Nihilus.. The hunt for reference material has been hit and miss but I came across some stuff... Not sure if the game would even run on my current rig.

]]>2761Wed, 18 Apr 2018 04:21:50 +0000What Constitutes an Acceptable Reference for New Costumes?http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2500-what-constitutes-an-acceptable-reference-for-new-costumes/With the unlimited sources for characters and costumes that are available in the Star Wars Universe, it might be a bit overwhelming to understand what actually constitutes a reference source that is acceptable for 501st approval. I'll try to make it as easy to understand here.

The current 501st requirements for references to be used to support new to Legion costumes states that it MUST be from an OFFICIAL source. Multiple official references can be combined to add up to a complete, 360° view of the character/costume so long as the references are all of the same version of the costume/character, and details that are present in the multiple references used do not change between one another. This means that if it has been released by LFL, is licensed by LFL, or has the approval of LFL, it can be used. If you can find a single source that shows a 360° view (a single comic, screenshots of an NPC in a video game, a highly detailed, full body statue, etc), then it is fine to use so log as it is an official release. Examples of these sorts of references include:

-comics/graphic novels

-phone/video games

-toys/figures

-full statues

-official "concept" sketches by approved artists

-animated show screenshots

-posters/marketing materials (great as supportive references but generally will not be able to be used as a single source)

Just remember that the less detailed a reference is, the more references you want to use in order to support the 360° view requirement. Book covers are generally not a good idea unless they are combined with other references that match the character/costume version you want to make. If two references of the same version have inconsistencies in details, use the higher quality reference of the two so there is as little interpretation needed to explain the details. Absolutely NO fan art is acceptable for references, but we do not discourage the building of them for personal wearing! This includes sketches, paintings, custom figures, custom statues, etc. Descriptions of characters in books are also not acceptable as they offer no visual clarification, often change (even under the same author), and are too open to interpretation.

The "consistency in references" point gets a bit tricky with sources like comics and graphic novels where different artists can create different details from issue to issue, with even the same artist creating variations from panel to panel within the same comic. In this case, it is a good idea to gather all of the references you can for the version you want to do, and create a "majority" list of details that are consistent across the references. If there is a pocket in 8 out of 10 reference images and 2 references do not have it, it is safe to assume by the "majority" rule that there should be a pocket. If it is an even balance of pockets and no pockets, it can be put to your discretion on if you want to have the pocket or not, so long as you can support your reasoning in the approval process.

Cover art is a great way to manage this issue as they are, for the most part, far more detailed and thorough in their portrayal of characters and costumes since more time is places on them than any single panel within the comic. The same goes for statues and figures.

I hope this is helpful in getting an idea about references!

]]>2500Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:32:38 +0000New to The Legion Detachment Assignmenthttp://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1991-new-to-the-legion-detachment-assignment/A question was raised on to which Detachment a certain character should go once they were approved in the Legion. I would like to share my stance on the topic with The Flagship Eclipse

1. Placement of a new to the Legion Character should be decided by Detachment.

2. More than one Detachment can offer a home for same character. But for the Legion’s sake, I recommend one official home;

3. When in doubt, while an LMO is a swell place to turn to for guidance, but do not forget to ask the first approved costumer themselves.

It would be in deep error to assign a character to a detachment before a costumer has been approved. I argue strongly that the first costumer should have the right to declare the home of their costume--within the constraints of Legion Detachment system.

That said, we know Disney has commissioned this character (The Seven Sister.)

From past discussion the Legion approved Grand Inquisitor is a welcomed character in The Flagship Eclipse. I thought I just read SLD preferred the Pau’an to be in TFE. (The Flagshp Eclipse, please do not use FSE.)

∴ I would imagine an approved Seventh Sister would find their way (she or he costumed as a the female character) in The Flagship Eclipse. If that was their choice.

Recently an increased number of Expanded Universe armoured costume submissions have been tendered using materials that cannot hope to match the reference images.

The hard armour recreation above is an example of a completed costume that would be accepted for 501st membership. The cloth costume is an approximation of the reference. From a good distance the colours and shapes are roughly correct, but it would not pass close inspection by the measuring stick of “Looks like it walked off of the big screen.”

Now some folk will argue that since many Expanded Universe characters do not have an “official” real world costume reference that the construction technique an material is open to interpretation. And to an extent, they do have a point. However, for 501st approval, there will be certain expectations that do reign in the appearance and materials used.

In this instance, from reference and citing similar instances in canon film characters, we The Flagship Eclipse, define Darth Revan’s armour as metal. A hard, glossy material in a form with complexed multidirectional curves that are not easily achieved by simply bending rigid sheet into simple curves.

As such cloth and leather constructions are not likely to be approved for membership.Neither would untreated EVA foam. (You might have some success coating a foam construction with a rigid material like wood glue, letting it dry and sanding, but other materials might possibly yield better results.)

I have seen all metal constructions for this armour. The two instances were not approved because they did not match the complex multidirectional curves of the reference armour. It could be done in metal. but would require coal forging, an English Wheel, or some such labour intensive and highly skilled art. And it would be beautiful.

Recommended in this and other similar constructions would be materials that might require sculpture over a human form as a starting place. From here molds can be made, and armour can be cast in fibreglass, resins, or made into a buck for vacuum forming. This is another labour intensive method requiring a high skill set. Because of the effort involved many craftsmen seek to recoup their investment by offering kits. Others throw together kits with profit being their primary concern. Such kits are discerned by poor fit/poor engineering and lax attention to detail.

Please consider the building block of The 501st Legion: The StormtrooperWe have a well established benchmark for what shiny armour should look like. TK’s have a bit of an advantage with near 40 years of fans perfecting builds and offering kits. And the 501st allows for a little interpretation with new units, such as those drafted in the Expanded Universe. Still we want our suits to measure favourably with the costume that founded our community. Thus, if the costume you are making for 501st Legion approval involves shiny armour, the material and technique chosen as well as skill level should be appropriate for recreating (not approximating) a 501st Legion Stormtrooper.

Expanded Universe costuming in the 501st Legion is a challenge. And that challenge does not end at approval.But for those who love our characters from beyond the Big Screen, it is entirely worth the effort.

Be well,Thomas

]]>1861Tue, 10 Nov 2015 04:21:51 +0000Approval Picshttp://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1323-approval-pics/Who does the approval pics get sent to????]]>1323Wed, 18 Dec 2013 23:15:34 +0000The E.U.http://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/907-the-eu/Wow..... all of the sudden, the Flagship is going awesome with all of these new costumes from SWOTOR. And here I was thinking the Dark Empire had the only handle on this. Well cool, hopefully we will attain some cross over membership which will all the more benefit the whole of the Star Wars costuming group base.

Volund, I see your build is an active WIP here. We miss you on the Empires boards. I hope you still intend on submitting it with us?

And Aysel, I hope you haven't forgotten your custom build? We miss both of your guys input in the Empire. We are really so honored to have you as perspective members.

Well.... So far as my Traya build, I have the saber and it is the correct one this time. I'm only waiting on my contacts and then I'll be submitting my Traya with the Flagship "and" the Empire.

As the Empires M.O., I would be proud to also be a member within the outstanding 501st Legions Flagship. I greatly look forward to it, I hope she passes.

]]>907Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:31:57 +0000Critria for an EU costume to be discussed on these forumshttp://www.theflagshipeclipse.com/forums/index.php?/topic/109-critria-for-an-eu-costume-to-be-discussed-on-these-forums/There seems to have be a level of confusion about what qualifies an EU character's costume to be discussed on these forums and the possible inclusion of that costume into the 501st Legion. I hope this post will clear things up however...

First, do understand that the 501st Legion has always operated under a set of guidelines when allowing any costume, EU or movie canon, into the legion. There has to be a certain level of "professionalism" in the creation of the costume itself. The costume needs to look, as much as possible, like it just walked off the screen/image of the character you are trying to recreate. Do not, I repeat, do not take your own "spin" of any character you are trying to recreate. Do not add things or remove things that are truly a part of the character you are trying to recreate.

Secondly, there MUST be three separate visual images from three separate LFL approved sources for this character to have the chance of entering the 501st Legion. That means, for example, if we're talking about a character from the Legacy comic book series, the entire series counts as one reference. If no images are available for your chosen character, it can not be a part of the 501st Legion at this time.

Third, the character in question must be a "bad guy" in the Star Wars galaxy. No exceptions can be made to this rule as it defeats the purpose of what the 501st Legion really is. If you want to make a "good guy" costume, I strongly suggest you seek out the Rebel Legion then.

Exceptions to this can only be made by the Legion Membership Officer (LMO) and not by this detachment.

So if a costume you want to create falls within these guidelines, and is not being covered by this detachment, then make a request and provide the required references please. You carry the burden of providing proof of any character you choose to recreate not the staff of this detachment.

Thank you for your understanding.

UPDATE: This is the current 501st guideline for new characters as of 2011. Please click the link and read!